In addition to California's ban, I would note the Illinois Senate, for example, voted unanimously to ban foie gras. This effort of mine certainly does not distract from the many other issues being attended to by the Legislature. I am capable of multi-tasking. But I also would hope that we never get to the point where standing against animal cruelty is regarded as frivolous. Interestingly, I sought no attention for this bill, but you know how the media loves animal stories!

The production ban is simply proactive. The heart of the bill is to ban the sale of foie gras produced by 2012, the year California’s ban becomes effective. That should give French restaurants and specialty stores enough time to find humane alternatives.

It seems like an indefensible proposition to put birds into overcrowded, industrial conditions with liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) – which, logically, makes them susceptible to other illness, perhaps including avian flu. If some are among the 20% of Americans that support foie gras production practices, and cannot even give up pate by 2012, then I do not know what more I can say on the subject.

If you want to see the many other bills I am sponsoring, go to:

http://www1.leg.wa.gov/House/Williams/SponsoredBills.htm